Skip advert
Advertisement

'Philip Hammond's £1.3bn road fund buys us next to nothing'

The Chancellor's 2016 Autumn Statement promised little for motorists, but delivered even less, says Mike Rutherford

The Chancellor wasn’t tempting car users with much on the eve of his 2016 Autumn Statement in the Commons. And he delivered even less. But a promise is a promise, right? On the Sunday before his Wednesday speech, some in the media were advised Philip Hammond had “£1.3billion to be targeted at improving British roads”.

Advertisement - Article continues below

On that Sunday, in a TV interview, I argued a spend of £1.3bn buys next to nowt when distributed across a highway network inside or connecting 48,000 British villages, towns and cities. 

Furthermore, I stated Hammond’s £1.3bn represents what drivers pay to him in vehicle/fuel/road/parking/insurance taxes and duties every week or so. 

So far so bad. But it gets worse, because when the Chancellor delivered his speech in Parliament, he effectively amended it and committed to “£1.1billion of investment in English local transport networks; £220million to address traffic pinch points on strategic roads”.

"Congestion could cost us £307bn - how about a ruralisation programme?"

This, it seems, is the circa £1.3bn he gave advanced warning of. But it now looks like only a fraction is guaranteed for the roads. Hammond’s left the door open for most of it to be blown on “transport networks” – which I suspect will turn out to be rail/bus/tram/tube routes, cycle lanes and the like. But just as drivers and motorcyclists pay for the road space they use, shouldn’t public transport travellers and cyclists be picking up the tab for their own tracks, lanes and paths?   

True, Phil reckons he’s got £390m to “build on our competitive advantage in low emission vehicles and the development of connected autonomous vehicles”, as well as providing much needed assistance for EV recharging infrastructure, which is shambolic.

"Isn't it time our road network was a priority too?"

But he pushed his luck when mischievously telling motorists they’re about to enjoy a “tax cut” worth £850m, based on his decision NOT to raise fuel duties. That’s misleading. A genuine cut would be a reduction in the duty levels we currently pay – and that ain’t happening.

The final kick in the bollards? Take the biggest rip-off in modern motoring – car insurance – and make it even more expensive by hiking the tax by 20 per cent. This will force some older drivers off the road, while at the same time preventing many youngsters from getting on it – in cars that would enhance their social lives, independence and job prospects.

What did you think of this year's Autumn Statement? Leave us a comment below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025